When dealing with any Islamic text in English, it is absolutely crucial to use the most accurate Arabic translation, in order to reflect the true intended meaning of the text. Not only is an incorrect translation completely irresponsible and misleading, but it actually removes the implication of the original statement by misquoting the one who said it. Using such types of translations makes it very easy for a person to prove their point, regardless of what the truth is. This article will bring forth one such commonly mistranslated and misunderstood hadith, and provide it with a better translation and its proper significance. This will further be supplemented by other narrations that use the same words and are more explicit in their meaning.

1. Introduction

Knowing that their claims about the essentials and generalities of Islam are proven to be false, some critics of Islam pick on isolated narrations, translating them as they like to make the average person feel uneasy about Islam.

One such narration appears as:

Ubayy b. Ka‘b told that he heard God’s messenger say, “If anyone proudly asserts his descent in the manner of the pre-Islamic people, tell him to bite his father’s penis, and do not use a euphemism.”[1]

2. Actual wording and literal analysis

The actual words of the Prophet are:

من تعزى بعزاء الجاهلية فأعضوه بهن أبيه ولا تكنوا

Its literal translation would be:

“He who so asserts his relationship in the manner of the time of ignorance, make him bite the membrum of his father and make no allusion.”[2]

Three words here need special attention. We shall show their original denotative and connotative meanings, and in the light of that, make a lucid and truly justified translation.

Evidently, the word used is not the proper explicit word for the male genital; rather it is a euphemism for it. For this reason, the rightful translation of it is “membrum” and not the word used by Dr. Robson.

Membrum is a euphemism[9] for the word “penis”[10] and therefore the appropriate word here. Prof. Josef Horovitz correctly used it in his English rendering of this hadith while translating Ibn Qutayba’s ‘Uyun al-Akhbar.[11]

This is no trivial a difference. In fact, it governs the central-most idea – failing to understand it or twisting the entire saying is ill-conceived.

2.3 Meaning of كنى(kuna)

Towards the end of the hadith, it is said “and make no allusion” (ولا تكنوا). To understand this correctly, one needs to consider the above explanation of the word هن (han).

When هن (han) itself is a euphemism, what does the last part of the hadith refer to it? We see these missionaries use the translation that fails to keep the euphemistic meanings of the original word and then they stress on the subsequent words “and do not use a euphemism” to suggest that the hadith asks for making an explicit mention of genitals. This is where the true meanings of the hadith are lost. In reality, it is about bluntly speaking about the disbelief and evil acts of one’s forefathers and that in doing so one should not stop with simply alluding to it because this will not bring about the forceful reproof.

3. Context of the saying

To have a profound understanding of the hadith, we need to see its context.

Firstly, even in Mishkat the hadith is placed in the chapter “Boasting and Party-Spirit.” Likewise, it is placed in similar chapters in Sunan al-Kubra[12] of an-Nasa’i, Sharh as-Sunnah[13] of al-Baghawi and ‘Amal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah[14]of Ibn as-Sani.

It is well known that Islam does not tolerate any ideas that can undermine the universal Islamic brotherhood and for this reason, party-spirit, tribalism or narrow-nationalism is severely condemned. This was stressed more for the first recipients of the Prophet’s message because their ancestors were idolaters and their training was pivotal in setting up the new faith based on universal Islamic nationalism and brotherhood. The following hadith tells us the same:

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: Allah has taken away your pride of Jahiliyyah and your boasting about your forefathers. One is only a righteous believer or a doomed evildoer. You are the sons of Adam and Adam was created from dust. Men should stop boasting about their forefathers, who are no more than the coal of Hell, or they will certainly be more insignificant before Allah than the beetle that rolls dung with its nose.”[15]

The hadith under discussion is also in the same backdrop as we shall explain shortly.

4. Meanings of the phrase “make him bite the membrum of his father”

Knowing the context and understanding the key words puts us in a better position to understand the meaning of the phrase “make him bite his father’s membrum.” All this makes it clear that the hadith actually asks for putting to shame one who boasts for the condemned ideals by reminding him of humble origins and the disbelief and evildoings of his idolater ancestors.

Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 AH) tells us the wisdom of mentioning the membrum:

“Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned? Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing.” (Qur’an 76:1-2)

“Whoever attributes and associates himself to the times of (pre-Islamic) ignorance in reviving their ways (by boasting for his forefathers), and in following their practices of abusing, cursing and reviling and comes to you with obscenity and arrogance, then mention to him the evildoings of his father – worshiping of idols, committing of adultery and taking of liquor and things like that. Put him to shame with the mention of all this as a reproof and humiliation and say it explicitly and not just with euphemism; perhaps he will give up defiling the honor of the people.”[17]

The underlined part is about the meaning of the last phrase in the hadith as discussed above.

5. More on the proverbial nature of the saying

Further proof of the proverbial nature of the saying is in the fact that in some versions of the hadith even the euphemism for the genitals is not used and the meaning is alluded to only through the initial word of the phrase.

إذا سمعتم من يعتزي بعزاء الجاهلية، فأعضوه، ولا تكنوا

“When you hear the one who asserts his relationship in the manners of the times of ignorance, then make him bite [the membrum of his father] and do not (just) make an allusion.”[18]

Abu Ja’far at-Tahawi (d. 321 AH) makes special note of this version of the hadith.[19]

Also we see, when the successors of the Prophet followed this instruction, it became evident that the underlying message was to teach the one who makes the call of ignorance a lesson to break his party-spirit.

عن أبي مجلز ، قال : قال عمر : من اعتزى بالقبائل فأعضوه

Abu Mijliz mentions that ‘Umar said: “Whoever associates himself with the tribes (in a way that undermines Islamic brotherhood), humble him! (lit. make him bite [his father’s membrum])”[20]

Abu Mijliz stated: “A person called out, ‘O people of Banu Tamim,’ ‘Umar denied them their allowance for one year.”[21]

The connection of the two narrations is obvious and we see ‘Umar did not do what he said literally; rather he suspended their privileges for a year as a reproof. By suspending their allowances he meant to tell them that their tribal affiliations were meaningless. And if they were not to give up the false pride they would be humbled through such punitive measures and their tribal affiliations will not suffice them. The act of humbling actually underscored the true meanings of the phrase under consideration.

The following narration from at-Tabari (d. 310 AH) in its essence supports what has been stated above:

When the right wing of the Iraqis was defeated and ‘Ali joined the left, al-Ashtar passed him galloping in the direction of the right wing towards the panic. ‘Ali said to him, “Malik,” and he answered, “Yes, here I am at your service.” ‘Ali said, “Go to those men and ask them why they are fleeing from death, whose power they cannot destroy, to life, which will not long remain for them?” Malik went on and met the men in their fight. He said to them what ‘Ali had told him to say and rallied them, saying, “To me, men! I am Malik b. al-Harith!” But then he thought that perhaps he was better known among them as al-Ashtar and he said, “I am al-Ashtar! To me, men!”

A group joined him, but a group deserted, and he cried out: “Men, how shameful you are! How wretched has been your fighting today! Men, sort out Madhhij, and send them to me.”

Madhhij joined him, and he said: “May you bite on hard rock! You have neither pleased your Lord nor been true to Him regarding your enemy. How can that be when you are born warriors?”[22]

Here the original wording for the underlined phrase is the very one under consideration. Literally it would be translated as, “Men, bite you the membrums of your fathers.” The context is that people who came from tribes known for chivalry were showing their backs and behaving out of their expected tribal character. To such, Malik called with those words to remind them of their positive family attributes and shake them by putting them to shame with these words. G.R. Hawting has thus rightfully rendered it as “Men, how shameful you are!”

This also shows that while the phrase is about asking one to reflect on his lineage, it is not necessarily to condemn the addressee’s forefathers; rather it is to condemn his behavior in relation to what is commended in Islam through a reference to his ancestors and their deeds.

In fact, evidence suggests, the phrase was at times used to express anger as such. Read the following account given by Ibn Katheer (d. 774 AH) about pre-Islamic times.

Al-Kalbi reported that Imru’ al-Qays advanced with his banners flying intending to battle Banu Asad after they had killed his father and passed by Tabala. There was the shrine of Dhul-Khalasa, an idol at which the Arabs would seek divine support. Imru’ al-Qays asked for prophecy and the arrow for negation came out. This then happened a second and a third time. At that he broke the arrows and struck them against the face of Dhal-Khalasa, exclaiming: “You’d bite your father’s penis! If your father were the man murdered, you’d not impede me!” He then launched a raid against Banu Asad and engaged them in swift battle.[23]

This example is important for multiple reasons:

a) It is from pre-Islamic times and shows the usage of the expression with the Arabs.

b) Imra’ al-Qays, the one who used it, was an authority in Arabic language and literature.

c) He used it for his idol to show his anger and frustration. This makes the proverbial sense of the phrase evident.

d) Even when he used more explicit word instead of a euphemism, it cannot be considered vulgar and obscene speech due to the context; how can then the same phrase without involving explicit words be considered vulgar and obscene?

6. Explicit statements in the Bible

Missionaries who zealously criticize Islam often do not remember to first have a look at their own house on the same accounts. The Bible has statements that can be viewed as gross and unimaginable. For instance, Ezekiel 23 is full of explicit content:

“When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses. So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.”[24]

7. Summary and conclusion

c) The explicit word for the male genital organ is not mentioned. Instead a euphemism is used.

d) The idea is to make one reflect on his origins and give up false pride. Reference to one’s father is to make one realize how insignificant the person was once. Specifically, for early Muslims, it was a call to realize that their ancestors were pagans and evildoers and it makes no sense to take pride in the condemned.

e) Caliph ‘Umar reiterated and followed this instruction by suspending monetary privileges of those making the forbidden call. This highlights the true spirit of the saying.

f) Usage by other people in other contexts also shows it was a proverbial phrase used to condemn unbecoming behavior of a person or even simply to express anger. In the hadith under consideration, it was meant as a strong and explicit reminder to make one get over phony pride.

g) In the light of the explanation above the correct meaning of the hadith is:

“He, who asserts his relationship in the manners of the time of ignorance, put him to shame by explicitly mentioning to him his origins and reality as a human and the disbelief and practices of his ancestors.”

[2] This hadith is recorded in many hadith works including Musnad Ahmad, Sunan al-Kubra of an-Nasa’i and Mushkil al-Athar of at-Tahawi. It is also quoted in Shia sources; see for instance: al-Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.32, 91. Al-Majlisi also quotes another narration attributed to ‘Ali with a similar wording.

7 comments

secondly there is a typo kindly fix it. you have misspelled hear as here. search for this: ““When you here the one who asserts his relationship in the manners of the times of ignorance, then make him bite [the membrum of his father] and do not (just) make an allusion.”

AsSalam Aleykum wa rahmatuLLahi wa barakatuh, deat brother. Refute please this: Haymed Bint Yunus says: “My father [Abi], who was 80, read a verse of greeting for me from Mushaf Aisha with the following words:“ Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet: O you who believe! Send him blessings and greet him with all respect. And for those who came to the first line of prayers. This verse was in this way before Usman made changes to the Quran. ” (Al-Itkan (Urdu version), volume 2, p. 65 – see also Tafsir Dur al-Mantur, volume 5, p. 220, “Verse of greeting”) Malik said that among the stories of Ibn Wahba and Ibn Al-Qasim and Ibn Abdul Hakam, when the first part of Surat Baraath was lost, Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim also died with her. It was also told from Ibn Ailan that he heard that Surat Baraat was equal to or approximately equal to Surat al-Bakara, so part disappeared, and because of this, “Bismilla al-Rahman al-Rahim” was not written between them ( between the lost and the rest) ”(Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 8, p. 62, Sura Bara`t [Chapter 9])

Actually it is a good idea to quote Biblical verses when dealing with Christian missionaries, as they first should deal with there own corrupted scripture then with other religions. Continue the good work brother Cheema!

Isn’t this considered a weak Hadith anyway? I came across a rather lengthy lecture on this narration and it was mentioned that one of the narrators is a ‘Mudalis’ as a result of which it’s chain cannot be considered authentic?

No. it is not a weak hadith. Mudallis is someone who is known to practice tadlis and only such a narrators reporting in ambiguous way [i.e. with ‘an] is problematic. I am not sure what link for this hadith you claim has tadlis.